By Wendy Teal
It’s a fact, today’s pet owners consider their furry friends not only pets but esteemed members of the family. We provide more for our critters than just food, water and shelter. We dress them for all occasions, serve them gourmet foods, provide etiquette lessons, and even spoil them with days at the spa. Let’s face it, we love our pets as much as we do the people in our lives. So why not treat them just as well? The great news is that Northwest Arkansas has it all when it comes to spoiling your pets. These eight local businesses are equipped to pamper your pets with grooming, daycare, upscale fashion, gourmet eats, in-home pet sitting and specialized obedience training. So grab your pet and prepare to indulge in the best of the good life!
In the world of posh pets, putting their best paw forward can be quite a job – and that starts with finding a reliable place for keeping your poodle coiffed and fluffed. You need to find an experienced team who strives to give pets and customers exactly what they want. At Rover Oaks, located in Fayetteville on East Mission Blvd. (Hwy. 45), you’ll find just that and more. With 15 years of experience, owners Becky Crawford and Darlene Purde offer bathing, blowouts, brushing, breed specific cuts, as well as personality cuts and nail care – and they even accept cats. Many of their customers have remained loyal since they purchased the business in 1993. The ladies train their entire staff to keep customers happy by consistently producing premier grooming, each and every time. With service like this, your dog or cat will be begging for another trim.
Dog Party USA is another top-notch grooming salon (and so much more), located on Hwy. 112 (Maestri Rd.) between Tontitown and Springdale. With the slogan “Where dogs just want to have fun,” who wouldn’t want their pooch to join in? Along with full-service grooming, they provide boarding and daycare services with four indoor play areas and a huge yard that’s big enough for any size dog. Plus your pooch can indulge in freshly made chicken, rice and other special treats. Owners Chaddie Kumpe-Platt and Priscilla Kumpe proudly explain that Dog Party’s supervisors are nationally accredited and stay up-to-date on the emotional and physical aspects of dogs. Other special services include obedience/training classes, parties for all occasions and special monthly events so your dogs can socialize with all of their friends.
An additional boarding and full-service grooming facility is Dog Watch Doggie Daycare & Boarding, with locations in Fayetteville and Bentonville. And, cat owners listen up! They have a private playroom just for your feline friends. Here they can pounce through different play stations all day and night. Dog Watch also offers obedience/training classes for dogs with group and/or private sessions. Plus, they carry a wide variety of products to spoil your pet ‘just because’ or for a special occasion. Another great treat is a line of holistic/all-natural dry and wet foods that keep your posh pet pampered inside and out.
Have you ever wanted to send your dog to camp? Well now you can at Camp Bow Wow in Bentonville. This fun place is where dogs “play all day and sleep the night away” while enjoying luxuries such as large indoor and outdoor play areas, and spacious cabins with comfy cots. A cool feature is the live camper cams inside each of the play areas. That’s right! While you’re away you can check on your pup and catch all of the action. Owners Jeff Kosecki and Linda Kosecki are excited about this technology, which is also available in a live cam application for iPhone users. In addition, their staff is certified in canine first aid and CPR, dog behavior, and playgroup dynamics. Plus, they monitor the facility 24 hours a day, so the owners know their dogs are in great care.
What if you’re looking for an alternative to boarding your animals? Angel Pet Sitters is here for you, serving Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista. Owner Leslie Ray offers “heavenly home pet care” with services and amenities including daily visits to walk and/or play, cleaning up messes, watering, feeding and brushing. Visits last 20-30 minutes to ensure the animals have been taken care of. If leaving your pets alone is not an option, they’ll stay overnight. Angel Pet Sitters also provides a pet-taxi service for a range of appointments. Plus, they are USDA certified chauffeurs offering transportation for pets to and from the Northwest Arkansas airport. Now that’s pet taxiing at its finest!
Desperately seeking good manners for your pooch? Denise Holmes, the “people trainer for dogs,” is the owner of Ain’t Misbehavin’, an in-home training service that helps owners customize their pet’s behavior so that they can perfectly fit in as a member of the family. In just one visit, she gives owners a realistic roadmap for getting their dog to a specific goal using positive reinforcement. She deals mostly with family dogs, although she has had non-canine clients, and her most popular request is to help with potty training. Denise has also developed a way to assist in introducing dogs to new babies before they’re even born through the great new product, “My New Best Friend.” This CD collection of different baby sounds prepares the dog so that the transition of introducing Rover to newborn can be a bit smoother. Many years working in various animal services, and a social personality, have trained her well for these services.
Just like people, a dog has favorite boutiques, and Fayetteville’s Sugarbear’s Pampered Pets Boutique & Bakery, located in Nelson’s Crossing, is sure to be one of your pet’s preferred places to load up on lots of goodies. Justin and Jackie Davis have just about everything needed to perfectly spoil your four-legged friend, offering an expansive selection of luxury items “for the upscale pet.” Dressing your pet couldn’t be easier with items ranging from swimwear, licensed sports apparel, pajamas, shoes, personalized clothing, coats and much more. You’ll also find accessories for your dog and home, including furniture, toys and exclusive buys from Haute Dog, a high-end line of all-natural vegan pet care products. The bakery has been called the “Harry & David for dogs” because they only use high-quality ingredients in all food items such as cakes, ‘wine’ for the K9, and themed treats just to name a few. Only the best comes from this store.
Another perfect boutique offering one-stop shopping with a vast array of pet supplies and foods is Bigwag Dog Bakery & Boutique. This quaint shop located in Rogers just off Walnut offers great deals on everything for your dogs and cats. Owners Cary Hague and Toby Hague offer toys, all-natural eats, bedding, “green” products made from recycled materials and more. The most important thing at Bigwag is keeping customers happy, and they guarantee most of their products by replacing broken items such as collars and leashes. A special feature is that they bake a wide variety of treats daily in the store, from healthy snacks to training treats and seasonally inspired doggie fare. Bigwag also hosts a weekly themed Yappy Hour from 5-7 p.m., featuring special offers for all who come.
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